Methods of recovering rare earth elements
AssigneeBattelle Energy Alliance, LLC
InventorsJohn Klaehn, Harry W. Rollins, Joshua S. McNally
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of recovering a rare earth element. The method comprises dissolving a rare earth element magnetic material in a dissolution organic solvent and a β-diketone compound to form a dissolved rare earth element mixture. A rare earth element of the rare earth element magnetic material and the β-diketone compound are reacted to form a β-diketonate chelate complex and the dissolution organic solvent is removed. The β-diketonate chelate complex is removed using a separation organic solvent, and the β-diketonate chelate complex is recovered. Additional methods are also disclosed.
Claims21
A method of recovering a rare earth element, comprising:
- dissolving a rare earth element magnetic material in a dissolution organic solvent and a β-diketone compound to form a dissolved rare earth element mixture;
- reacting a rare earth element of the rare earth element magnetic material and the β-diketone compound to form a β-diketonate chelate complex;
- removing the dissolution organic solvent from the dissolved rare earth element mixture;
- removing the β-diketonate chelate complex from the dissolved rare earth element mixture using a separation organic solvent;
- and
- recovering the β-diketonate chelate complex.
A method of recovering a rare earth element, comprising:
- combining a rare earth element material with a dissolution organic solvent and a β-diketone compound to form a rare earth element mixture;
- reacting a rare earth element of the rare earth element material with the β-diketone compound to form a rare earth element β-diketonate chelate complex;
- removing the dissolution organic solvent from the rare earth element mixture;
- separating the rare earth element β-diketonate chelate complex from the rare earth element mixture using a separation organic solvent;
- and
- recovering the rare earth element from the rare earth element β-diketonate chelate complex.
A method of recovering a rare earth element, comprising:
- dissolving a material comprising neodymium in a dissolution organic solvent and a β-diketone compound to form a rare earth element mixture;
- reacting the neodymium with the β-diketone compound to form a neodymium β-diketonate chelate complex;
- removing the dissolution organic solvent from the rare earth element mixture;
- separating the neodymium β-diketonate chelate complex from the rare earth element mixture using a separation organic solvent;
- and
- recovering the neodymium β-diketonate chelate complex.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.